Overview

This unit introduces students to the fundamentals of media studies, with a focus on texts, contexts, and the history of media and media studies. This enables students to understand the significant contribution that the media make to the formation of society and culture. Students will also be introduced to competing frameworks for understanding media and their merits.

Requisites

Prerequisites
MDA10001 Introduction to Media Studies
Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Pathways Teaching 3
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
21-October-2024
31-January-2025
Last self-enrolment date
03-November-2024
Census date
15-November-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-December-2024
Results released date
11-February-2025
Pathways Teaching 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
24-February-2025
30-May-2025
Last self-enrolment date
09-March-2025
Census date
21-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
02-May-2025
Results released date
10-June-2025
Pathways Teaching 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
23-June-2025
26-September-2025
Last self-enrolment date
06-July-2025
Census date
18-July-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
15-August-2025
Results released date
07-October-2025
Pathways Teaching 3
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
20-October-2025
30-January-2026
Last self-enrolment date
02-November-2025
Census date
14-November-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
12-December-2025
Results released date
10-February-2026

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Relate specific texts to broader social contexts
  • Describe the purpose of cultural and critical theory
  • Analyse the relationship between theory and practice
  • Critically analyse media texts
  • Examine the issues surrounding media production, distribution and ownership

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Online Contact
Online Class		 2.00  12 weeks  24
Face to Face Contact
Tutorial		 2.00  12 weeks  24
Face to Face Contact
Tutorial		 2.00  12 weeks  24
Specified Learning Activities
Readings		 2.00  12 weeks  24
Unspecified Learning Activities
Independent Learning		 4.50  12 weeks  54
TOTAL     150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
EssayIndividual 30 - 40% 1,2,3,4,5 
Media JournalsIndividual 30 - 40% 1,2,3,4 
Online TestsIndividual 30 - 40% 1,2,3,4,5 

Content

  • Media Texts and Analysis
  • Semiotics and Signs
  • Form and Content
  • Analysing Media Industries
  • Media Audiences
  • Media Representations of Gender, Sexuality, Class and Race
  • Taste and Criticism
  • Media History and Aesthetic Movements

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.